An image from only the objective focal plane is generated on a monitor

Computer can control the operation of the microscope as well as reconstruct 3-D images and topography of specimen

The confocal microscope, while generating little or no better resolution than theoretically possible with the light microscope, produces a much sharper image from each focal plane by eliminating the stray, out-of-focus illumination which is inherent in the traditional brightfield light microscope. Confocal microscopes are usually under computer control for the coordination of image display and the movement of the light beam over the specimen, the level of focus, and the brightness and contrast of the displayed image. Images from several vertical planes can be stored in the computer and reconstructed to form three-dimensional appearing images, or rotating images of the specimen.

The micrograph at the top is a confocal fluorescence image of the chromosomes of grape (Vitis sp.) that provides a much sharper image than conventional brightfield light microscopy. The image at the bottom is a 3-D topographical interpretation of the chromosomes generated by an accompanying computer program.